McCarthy - We're in dogfight

McCarthy: Facing dogfight

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Mick McCarthy conceded Wolves are in a relegation dogfight after his side lost 4-0 to a rampant Chelsea on Saturday.

Wolves shot themselves in the foot with defensive errors which allowed the Blues to go two up within 12 minutes.

Florent Malouda opened the scoring in the fifth minute from 25 yards after Jody Craddock had mis-kicked the ball into his path and he was allowed to run unchallenged on goal.

Michael Essien then doubled the advantage in the 12th minute when stealing in at the near post to nod home Saloman Kalou's corner.

The Ghanaian then got his second on 22 minutes when slotting home from 25 yards in front of goal, although Wolves keeper Wayne Hennessey should have saved it diving to his left.

Joe Cole then scored in the 56th minute to complete the victory, but again Hennessey should have done better with his shot.

But Wolves also threatened at the other end, creating several half chances, while Chelsea keeper Petr Cech had to be at his very best to keep out a close range header from Sylvan Ebanks-Blake in the first period.

Hollow

McCarthy told Sky Sports: "I thought we started the game well - sounds hollow and stupid that when you get beat four and it could have been a lot more - and yet we've had good chances in the game, we didn't defend the corner kick particularly well, it gave them the second.

"To give them two goals then it's going to be a difficult afternoon here."

Wolves remain second from bottom following the defeat and McCarthy emphasised the tough battle which his side now face to stay in the top division.

"I've just said to them now, we might as well start to look at it, we are in a relegation dogfight from now on," he said.

"So we might as well understand that and get on with it.

Tried best

"But did we expect it in the last two games (the 4-0 defeats to Chelsea and Arsenal)? Probably not, we tried our best, didn't get nothing.

"The real positive I guess was our fans who were magnificent today."

Wolves now face crucial home ties against relegation rivals Birmingham and Bolton next and McCarthy agreed it is games against such sides which will decide their season

"Monday's the time that we have to get back on the training ground and start preparing for Birmingham next Sunday which is an all-important game," he said.

He added: "When you look at the fixture list now, these are the games that we have to get points from."